Conference 2012 Motions

Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fur Farms in Ireland Conference recognises the right of animals not to be subjected to unnecessary cruelty; Conference notes with concern the continued existence of fur farms in Ireland, operating according to license; Conference also notes that these licenses deal exclusively with prevention of escape, and do not prevent animals like mink from being kept in factory farm conditions; Conference also notes and welcomes the ban on fur farming in the United Kingdom and Austria, and fur farming regulation in Sweden which provides for natural living conditions for animals being farmed for fur, which has made the practise economically unviable; Conference also notes with regret the decision made by Minister Simon Coveney this year not to include a ban on fur farms in the Animal Welfare Bill; Conference therefore calls on the government to amend the current Animal Welfare Bill (currently at committee stage) to include a ban on fur farming in Ireland; Conference calls on the NYE to coordinate lobbying by Labour Youth members on this issue.

Dublin South East

Fisheries Conference notes with concern the current decline in European fish stocks, which threatens the viability of coastal communities. Conference condemns the overfishing by European fleets. Conference condemns the practice whereby European fishing fleets exploit the stocks of third world counties, particularly those of Western Africa, threatening the main source of protein for millions of people. Conference calls on the Irish government to call for a change to the Common Fisheries Policy, with movement towards a catch share system and discard bans.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Conference welcomes the celebration of Irish culture, heritage and the attempt to reunite Irelands Diaspora through the ongoing events of the Gathering in 2013.

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Labour Youth should assist in any way it can, and also attempt to bring back former and current members who may have left the country to work or study for specific events.

Wexford

Education and Skills

Third Level Fees Conference condemns the increase, and intended further increase, of third level undergraduate registration fees proposed by Minister for Education Ruair Quinn. Conference further condemns the implementation of a graduate tax, state funded student loan scheme or other such measures. Conference supports the belief held by Labour Youth that education is a right and that the enactment of such schemes would open the door to burdening students with additional and ever increasing costs for higher education. The Union of Students in Ireland

Cork North Cental

Conference notes with approval the recent referendum in Trinity College Dublin reaffirming their status within the Union of Students in Ireland. Conference believes that in order to best represent the views of the students of Ireland a strong national union is required. Conference therefore supports affiliation with USI by students unions. However Conference mandates the NYE to campaign for a directly elected president of USI with each individual student having a vote.

Dublin City University

Campus Accommodation Conference notes with concern the pressure on incoming first year students moving away from home to obtain suitable accommodation on or off campus. Conference further notes with concern the lack of transparency in the application process and the disregard for distance from home address within the State and ease of access to public transport and the uncertainty this creates for students who are forced into renting privately. Conference therefore calls on the Minister for Education to establish a central authority responsible for accommodation allocation and a protocol that includes but is not limited to the following criteria: progressive weighting for distance from home address; income assessment independent of parents; Conference further calls for the construction of dedicated student accommodation to be the responsibility of local authorities. Page 2 of 22

Dublin City University

Political discourse Conference notes with concern the current state of political discourse in Ireland. Conference further notes with concern the fractured and over partisan nature of political discourse and that it may discourage young people from becoming involved in civil society. Conference therefore believes that Civil, Social and political education should be part of a reformed Leaving Certificate to encourage a sense of citizenship in young people.

Dublin City University

Third level institutions Conference notes that the South East of Ireland sustains a population of 460,000 people. It is also the largest region in the entire island that is not served by university facilities. Conference further notes the Programme for Government which states - "We will explore the establishment of a multi campus Technical University in the South East" Conference calls upon the Government, especially Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn to ensure the founding of a University of the South East within the life time of this Government. State Subsidy for Fee-Paying Schools Conference strongly condemns the subsidising of fee-paying schools by the state in all forms. Conference abhors the concept of private educational institutions and the two-tier, elitist educational system that naturally develops as a result and helps to feed class division in society. Conference supports the long-standing belief of the labour movement that every child should be born equal, with equal rights and opportunities and recognises the importance of education in achieving this goal. Conference calls for the complete withdrawal of State funding to fee-paying schools, particularly the 100m plus provided to pay the wages of teachers in fee-paying schools.

Wexford

University College Cork

Environment, Community and Local Government

Womens participation in politics

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Conference recognises: - The need to promote young women in politics - Following recent member surveys, the need for female only meetings and - The benefit of having female participation at our events, including gender balanced speaker panels. Conference therefore calls for: - Every member of Labour Youth's support in holding female only meetings and other events geared towards the female membership. - An introduction of Gender Quotas of 30% for any panel hosted by Labour Youth. Conference affirms: - That this will not affect, in any way, single speaker events or - The possibility to hold male only events, if and when male members might see this as a necessity for the benefit of our organisation.

Trinity College Dublin

Gender Quotas Conference notes that 86% of Dil ireann is currently made up of men. Conference notes that there has been low female participation since the foundation of the State. Conference believes that the shortage of women in the Dail isnt an adequate representation of the Irish population. Conference calls upon the Irish Government to impose a gender quota on all parties, to ensure that 30 per cent of nominated candidates for election are women both at Oireachtas and local government levels. Local Government Reform Conference applauds the reforming stance currently being taken by the Government with regard to local government structures. Conference urges the Government to progress this reform agenda further by devolving the powers of city and county managers back to the democratically-elected local representatives of the city and county councils.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Cork North Central

Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform

Croke Park Agreement Conference notes with concern the growing criticism of the Croke Park Agreement within Government and the Irish media. Page 4 of 22

Conference recognises that, while not ideal for public sector workers, the Croke Park Agreement has succeeded in the areas of protecting basic pay levels, increasing efficiency within the public service, maintaining industrial harmony and overall substantially reducing the public sector pay bill. Conference condemns any attempt by politicians or the media to scapegoat public sector workers for Irelands current financial crisis. Conference calls on the Irish Government to tackle the higher earners within the Civil Service through progressive taxation which would target excessive wages in both the Public and Private sectors of the workforce. Conference mandates the NYE to lobby the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to uphold the Croke Park Agreement for the rest of its agreed existence. Conference further mandates the NYE to campaign that any successor to the Croke Park Agreement would continue to protect the wage levels and conditions of low and middle earners within the public service. Financial transactions tax

University College Dublin

Conference notes the damage inflicted on the Irish, European and world economies due to the excesses of the financial sector. Conference believes that transactions in the financial sector should be subject to a tax burden of comparable significance to that which applies in other sectors. Conference notes that expanding the tax base in the Irish financial sector along the lines of the European Commissions proposals for a financial transactions tax could raise hundreds of millions of Euros for the Irish Exchequer. Conference further notes the provisions in the proposal (such as the residence principle and the issuance principle) that will minimise the risk of relocation. Conference recalls that scaremongering has always been used as an argument against levying any and every tax. Conference also recalls that the campaign for a European financial transactions tax is being led by the S&D Group in the European Parliament. Conference calls on the Labour Party to join other member states and implement this tax in Ireland using the enhanced cooperation mechanism.

Trinity College Dublin

Dil and Cabinet Reform Conference notes the disproportionate allocation of funding, across all Government departments, to constituencies represented by the line minister and the Minister of Finance.

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Conference notes that this is a systemic problem in Irish politics and not unique to the current Government. Conference believes that this disproportionate funding is a direct result of Cabinet members also representing geographical constituencies alongside their ministerial brief. Conference further notes that making Dil deputies work simultaneously as members of Cabinet lends itself towards an executive-dominated legislature. Conference believes that a way exists to solve both problems simultaneously, by separating the Cabinet from the Dil. Conference notes the upcoming Constitutional Convention, and believes that it represents an ideal opportunity to correct flaws in our democratic structures. Conference calls upon the Constitutional Convention to consider ways in which the Cabinet can be properly separated from the Dil and for ministers to be relieved of constituency representation. Special Advisor Pay

Cork North Central

Conference notes with concern the breaching of the public sector pay cap by numerous members of Cabinet with regard to their ministerial advisors. Conference further notes that some of the Cabinet members who breached the cap were members of our own party. Conference condemns the decisions made to breach the public sector pay cap in this manner. Conference calls for these advisors to have their public salary adjusted to within permitted levels and for future appointments to take greater note of the public sector pay rules. Croke Park Agreement

Cork North Central

Conference mandates that the Croke Park agreement is honoured until 2014 and subsequently a new deal is agreed upon to protect lower paid public sector workers while at the same time making savings in the public sector. Seanad ireann Conference notes the Governments proposal to hold a referendum on abolishing the Seanad. Conference supports reformation of the Seanad rather than complete abolition. However as no reform has happened in the lifetime of this government, Conference supports the governments proposal to hold a referendum on abolition. Citizen Engagement

Wexford

Wexford

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Conference welcomes President Michael D. Higgins Being Young and Irish seminar and recognises the importance and positive impact that can result from programs that involve citizen engagement. Conference notes the low level of voter turnout in Ireland, particularly amongst young people, and the importance of ensuring that we have a population that is engaged with and participating in our democracy. Conference further notes the benefits greater citizen engagement can have on government and the wider society, with specific emphasis on improving voter turnout, particularly amongst the young people of Ireland. Conference calls for the extension of such programs through government, not only in regards to young people, to give a greater emphasis on citizen engagement.

University College Cork

Foreign Affairs and Trade

Syria Labour Youth is deeply concerned by the crisis which has engulfed Syria and condemns unreservedly the atrocities which have been carried out by both sides. Given the enormity of the suffering in that country, it is of the utmost importance that no more blood be shed unnecessarily. Labour Youth further notes that Syria is one of the few countries in the Middle East which has heretofore remained independent of both Islamist fundamentalism and US control, and is therefore anxious that the conflict be resolved in a manner consistent with Syrias independence. Labour Youth is concerned that voices of the Syrian opposition opposed to a US/Western invasion such as those of the Syrian oppositions National Co-ordination Committee have been largely ignored by the Western media, and that calls for an invasion are growing louder. Labour Youth opposes any invasion of Syria or any other kind of US or Western violent intervention, and calls for a negotiated solution to the crisis which will further aim for a transfer of power from Bashar al-Assad whilst ensuring permanent safeguards maintaining separation of religion and state and freedom of religion and conscience are put in place.

Trinity College Dublin

Syrian Conflict Conference notes with concern the brutality of the Syrian Civil War.

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Conference condemns the ruthless heavy-handed attacks on civilians carried out primarily by the Assad regime. Conference is worried about the lack of response by the U.N. and condemns China and Russia's use of the U.N. veto to protect the Assad dictatorship. Conference supports the Irish government's support for tougher sanctions on the Assad regime. Conference condemns North Korean and Iranian support for the Assad regime. Conference calls upon the U.N. security forces to intervene to protect civilians and establish peace in the country. Rise-Up Campaign Conference welcomes: -The participation of Irish Labour Youth in the Rise Up campaign being conducted by Socialist and Social Democratic youth movements across Europe Conference mandates the International Officer: -To campaign to increase the awareness and participation of Labour Youth members and young Irish people generally in the campaign, including signing of the campaigns online petition -To assist the central campaign in whatever way they need, including translation of literature into good English

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Trinity College Dublin

European fiscal and political union Conference notes: -That the Eurozone crisis is now nearly three years old and remains fundamentally unresolved due to the inadequacy of reform measures so far proposed. -The contractionary effects of the austerity policies currently being pursued by European leaders in the absence of growth measures. -The need for a genuinely integrated European social policy to correct the current neo-liberal tendencies of the European Union. Conference affirms that: -The origins and continuation of the Eurozone crisis lies in the fundamental imbalance that arises from the presences of a monetary union of states without some kind of fiscal union to match it.

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-A genuinely integration European social policy requires some degree of fiscal union. -In light of the restrictions imposed by the European Fiscal Compact and the general fiscal situation of peripheral countries, extensive growth measures will require EU-level action and consequently much greater fiscal resources at EU level. Conference therefore calls for: -The establishment of a European fiscal union Conference calls for this fiscal union to include: - A European Finance Ministry -Some form of mutualisation of member states debts - A much more extensive federal European budget directly financed and capable of funding significant stimulus packages and other forms of assistance at member-state level -Coordination and moves towards the harmonisation of certain areas of taxation at memberstate level. Conference recognises: -That a fiscal union that did not include further measures towards greater political union would be utterly repugnant to principles of democracy without significant expansion of direct accountability and representation at an EU-wide level. Conference therefore calls for: -The president of the European Commission to be directly elected by the people of Europe -The rest of the Commission to be chosen by, fully answerable to and subject to the majority approval of the European Parliament in the same manner as governments in national parliamentary democracies -The European Parliament to have power to propose legislation - The expanded EU budget to be agreed on an annual basis through consultation between the European Commission and the European Parliament. Socialist International Conference deplores: -The farcical manner in which the Neo-Destour Party of Tunisia and the National Democratic Party of Egypt were allowed to remain as members of the Socialist International until their dictatorial regimes were overthrown by their own people at significant human cost. Conference notes: -That the embarrassingly belated expulsion of these parties was merely an extreme Page 9 of 22

reflection of the general inadequacy of the Socialist International in terms of vision, organisation and morality. Conference notes: -The general inadequacy of reform procedures so far proposed following the embarrassment surrounding Egypt and Tunisia. Conference welcomes: -The work of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) in campaigning for reform of the Socialist International -The recent call for significant reform of the organisation by European members of the Socialist International and its vision for a politically relevant, publicly visible global organisation with transparent and democratic procedures. Conference calls for: -Changes in the structure and procedures of the SI to allow far greater participation in the organization from ordinary activists in member parties and encourage greater coordination and dialogue among member parties -Implementation of far more demanding democracy and anti-corruption standards as a requirement for membership of the SI, and penalization and ultimately expulsion of parties who do not meet such standards -Immediate expulsion of the MPLA of Angola and the Israeli Labor Party -Engagement with leading socialist and social-democratic parties who are not currently members of the SI, particularly in Latin America. Conference mandates the International Officer: -To campaign for the above changes both through the Labour Party and through IUSY.

Trinity College Dublin

Apple Boycott Conference notes with concern the treatment of workers at the Foxconn factories in both China and Mexico. Conference is further concerned with the high incidence of suicide amongst Foxconn workers, their abuse of child labour laws and forcing workers to work without remuneration. Therefore Conference calls for a boycott of products produced by Foxconn such as Apple. Conference further mandates the NYE to campaign in this regard. Venezuelan elections

Dublin City University

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Conference welcomes the re-election of President Hugo Rafael Chvez Fras in Venezuela for a fourth term. Conference condemns the attempts by various Western media outlets and corporate powers to discredit the Chvez regime, including the vast funding provided by the US to the opposition. Conference notes that the biggest threat to Venezuelan democracy is not President Chvezs socialist government but the unsympathetic, vested interests of private companies and imperialistic, capitalist powers; most notably the United States of America. Conference further notes that while the current regime is not without its faults Venezuela is, by any rational standards, a fully functioning democracy, with exceptionally high levels of participation and an electoral process more fraud-proof than those in Britain or the US. Conference supports the Chvez government and recognises its representation of the dispossessed majority that have returned it to power. Conference applauds how Venezuela has shown Socialists and Social Democrats around the world that it is not necessary to accept a failed economic model and it is possible to be progressive and simultaneously appeal to the general public. South America Conference recognises the significant economic growth of South American countries in recent years, such as Brazil.' Conference recognises the necessity of tourism to the Irish state, as well as foreign trade for its economic well being. Conference also notes the importance of the left wing social movements associated with these South American countries, and the significant amount of cultural imperialism and influence America holds over associated countries such as Ireland. Conference recognises the importance of the proposed statue of Che Guevara in Galway city, due to the economic benefits, symbolism of the socialist movement, and in recognition of the Irish Diaspora of which Che Guevaras parents were included.

University College Cork

National University of Ireland, Galway

Health
Mental Health Conference notes: The large amount of suffering caused by mental illness. Conference further notes: Many people refuse to seek counselling or medical assistance due to feelings of stigmatization and the lack of success of the Please Talk Campaign in ending such stigmatization.

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Conference mandates: The NYE to launch an extensive and comprehensive campaign to help end the stigma of mental illness

University College Dublin

Resignation of Risn Shortall Conference notes with sadness the recent resignation of Risn Shortall as Minister of State at the Department of Health, and also from the Parliamentary Labour Party. Conference believes that Ms Shortalls resignation from the Department was a direct and inevitable result of her position being made untenable by the poor conduct of the senior Cabinet minister at the Department of Health, Minister James Reilly. Conference fully supports Ms Shortall in her resignation from the Department, and urges Minister Reillys Cabinet colleagues and the other Government deputies to hold a full and frank inquiry into the alleged corruption in Minister Reillys department. Conference has no confidence in Minister for Health James Reilly.

Cork North Central Wexford

A woman's right to choose Conference notes that the current government has established an expert review group in order to review the feasibility of legislating for the X case. Conference further notes that 14 Irish women a day still travel to Britain in order to avail of abortion procedures. Conference acknowledges the opening of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast which would allow Irish women to access procedures on the island of Ireland. Conference notes with concern that this is a private clinic and so will not allow women access to its services through the NHS as under the 1967 Abortion Act and will only allow women to seek a termination up to nine weeks, in contrast to 24 weeks in England. Given the Labour Party's and Labour Youth's position of being pro-choice organisations conference calls to not only continue to campaign for the legislation of the X case but to campaign for wider availability of abortion services based on respect for a woman's right to choose. X Case Conference condemns the failure of successive governments to legislate in line with the Supreme Courts rulings in regards to the Attorney General v. X or the X Case.

Dublin South

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Conference notes that this constant failure to pass fitting legislation contravenes not only the rulings of the Irish Supreme Court but also of the European Court of Human Rights. Conference further notes that as a result the State has placed the health, both physical and emotional, of Irish women at risk and therefore serious questions must be raised about the condition of our democracy. Conference calls on the Labour Party in government to legislate in line with the X Case as a matter of urgency. Conference further condemns the backward nature of the position taken by many members of our coalition partners, Fine Gael, in regards to this issue. Alcohol Sponsorship Conference acknowledges the effects of sponsorship. Conference notes with concern the effect of alcoholism on Irish society. Therefore Conference calls for the phasing out of alcohol advertising and mandates the NYE to campaign in this regard.

University College Cork

Dublin City University

Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Right to Full-time Hours Conference notes with concern the now widespread practise whereby employers reduce the hours of their more experienced employees often people with families and mortgages and hire new part-time staff on lower wages; Conference also notes with concern the precarious nature of part-time work in Ireland, in which people may often be asked to work shorter shifts over more days than in the past, and on shorter notice, which makes it extremely difficult to find extra work or indeed plan ones life around working hours; Conference further notes with concern the commercial and political drive to make Irelands economy and workforce more flexible, despite the fact that workplace conditions in Ireland are already amongst the most flexible and precarious in the world; Conference further notes that across the country, fewer workers are content with the hours of work being offered by their employers than was the case in previous years, and that for some part-time workers, finding extra work will be impossible in the present economic climate; Conference therefore condemns the employers who manipulate the labour market to force formerly full-time workers to seek supplementary income allowance from the state, and sees this as occurrence as being tantamount to a state supplement to corporate greed;

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Conference also condemns the rhetoric used by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in his Fine Gael Ard Fheis speech earlier this year, in which he intimated that part-time workers in Ireland need encouragement in the form of cuts or restrictions to supplementary income allowance in order to take on full-time hours; Conference believes that current employees have the right to first be offered extra or fulltime hours where such work is available; Conference therefore calls on the government to introduce such a right in legislation; Conference mandates the Campaigns Officer to organise a public event on this issue in the 2012/13 term. Decent Work Conference notes the increased demand on workers by employers to be flexible in their work. This has led to a rise in precarious work, particularly among the low paid workers in Ireland. Conference notes with concern that young people, women and migrant workers are far more likely to fall into precarious work. Conference declares the fact that as the recession took hold some of the important protections for low paid workers The JLC wage agreements, the low income tax regime for the low paid and social protection entitlements and benefits were among the first to come under attack as a means of reducing the deficit. Conference calls for Labour Youth to support and promote the Decent Work agenda which is currently being pursued by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and its affiliated unions in Ireland. Universal Design

Dublin South East

Dublin South

Conference notes that the universal design is a direct way of improving environments, products and ICT (Information and Communication technology) to make those accessible to people of all abilities. Conference further acknowledges that designers, engineers, architects and manufacturers have a social responsibility to implement the 7 principles of universal design and to carry out empathy testing, thereby making their resulting work more accessible and usable for people of all abilities. Conference notes that in many cases, this can remove the need for differing products, services and environments for those less able, thereby allowing people of all abilities to feel completely integrated in society. Conference also notes that this will improve the reputation of Ireland's manufacturing and technology sector.

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Conference calls for all businesses involved in the design and manufacturing of products, environments and ICT to implement universal design principles, as well as empathy testing.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Youth Entrepreneurship Fund Conference notes with concern: The unemployment crisis in Ireland particularly youth unemployment and the effect that it can have on both the individual and society as a whole in terms of skills erosion, declining employment prospects and the adverse impact on a persons self -confidence and mental health. Conference recognises: Attempts by the Government to encourage and stimulate employment among those in the 18-25 year age bracket including but not limited to internship programmes, additional educational placements, VAT cuts in labour intensive industries and changes to Research & Development Tax credits, PRSI cuts for employers creating jobs of no more than 356 a week, loan guarantee schemes and other schemes aimed at normalising credit conditions and generating employment. Although well intentioned, these measures do not go far enough in terms of labour market activation. Conference further notes: That although the standardised unemployment rate in Ireland has stabilized at circa 14.8% youth unemployment in Ireland is consistently and significantly higher standing at 30.5% in Q4 of 2011. Youth unemployment among young men in particular remains stubbornly high with one in three out of work. Faced with limited options a jobless generation or generation emigration is a social crisis that must be addressed immediately with barriers to employment and job creation dealt with. Conference notes the lack of credit being supplied by Irish financial institutions particularly towards young entrepreneurs and the difficulty in obtaining state support from Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards for numerous potential schemes. Conference therefore proposes: The establishment of a permanent youth entrepreneurship fund (YEF) to assist young entrepreneurs aged 18-25 to establish their own businesses and contribute towards creating employment, developed indigenous industries and sustaining long-run economic growth. The YEF will be run by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation with at least one third of the YEF governing council being either 18-25 themselves or experienced entrepreneurs. Conference notes the budgetary constraints facing the country and therefore proposes that the YEF be allocated 1.8million for the first year on a pilot basis pending further review. Conference believes that such a fund will help young entrepreneurs and foster a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, confidence and excellence among the youth of Ireland.

University College Dublin

Justice, Equality and Defence

Travelling Community Conference notes the current discrimination towards the travelling community in Irish Society. Page 15 of 22

Conference further notes the lack of political will to end such discrimination. Conference commends the NYE for their recognition of the work of Pavee Point at the Tom Johnson Summer School by awarding the organisation the Jim Kemmy Thirst for Justice Award. Conference mandates the NYE to lobby members of the Constitutional Convention, including Labour TDs and Senators, to put on the agenda the inclusion of having a dedicated seat in Dil ireann reserved to represent members of the Travelling Community. Conference calls on the NYE to work along with Traveller Rights organisations in Ireland to campaign against the ongoing discrimination and to advance the rights of the Travelling Community within Irish Society.

University College Dublin

Asylum Seekers and Direct Provision Conference notes with concern the slow speed of the processing of people seeking asylum in Ireland and that many asylum seekers spend as long as 10 years on 19 Euro a week in appalling state provision waiting for a response as to whether they will be granted asylum or not. Conference further notes that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of acceptance for people seeking asylum in Europe. Conference calls on the Irish Government to speed up the application process along with improving the living conditions of those in direct provision and amend the Asylum application system to ensure a higher rate of acceptance for asylum seekers in Ireland.

University College Dublin

Turn off the Red light Conference notes with concern the problems with prostitution in Ireland as well as the emotional and physical abuse that many women and girls suffer from the direct effects of prostitution. Conference notes that 98% of women surveyed want to leave this profession. Conference further notes the success of the Swedish model in criminalising the purchaser and decriminalising the seller which thus offers protection to the victims forced into this "trade". Conference fully supports the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Ruhama in their Turn Off the Red Light Campaign seeking to change Irish law to model that of Sweden. Legacy of war Page 16 of 22

Dublin South

'Conference recognises the impending anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War' 'Conference further recognizes the impact and involvement that young Irish people had in the First World War' 'Also, conference notes the legacy of selective remembrance created by the legacy of cultural nationalism of the Free State' 'Conference recognizes the necessity to remember an alternative view of Irish history, but also the need to incorporate it into memorialisation and historical record'

National University of Ireland, Galway

Social Protection
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Amendment Conference agrees with Minister Ruair Quinns statement that, Our fellow citizens live, move and have their being in, and are shaped by, a world of social and economic forces as well as purely political interactions, and socio-economic rights deserve a place in the constitutional scheme of things alongside civil and political rights. (Ruair Quinn Dil ireann - Volume 985 - 24 October, 2000 Private Members' Business, Twenty-First Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill, 1999: Second Stage.) Conference recognises Labours role in ensuring that the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was signed by the Irish Government on 23rd of March, 2012. Labour Youth calls on Party leader and Tnaiste Eamon Gilmore, and the Labour Party in Government, to ensure full recognition of Economic, Social and Cultural rights through constitutional amendment during this governments term. Conference mandates the National Chair and National Campaigns Officer to communicate this to the PLP throughout the year and report back to the membership of Labour Youth on the progress they have made within 6 months of their election.

Dublin South East

Transport, Tourism and Sport

Jersey Shore

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Conference notes with concern the television show Jersey Shore Conference is concerned about the racial, social and economic stigmatization Jersey shore and similar programming promotes Conference condemns the exploitation of young, often poorly educated young people Conference expresses further concern at the heavy binge drinking culture promoted by the Jersey Shore.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Constitution
The National Youth Executive Conference amends the Labour Youth constitution in the manner detailed below in order to reform the Labour Youth Vice-Chairs position, for the purpose of promoting gender equality within the organisation, by; De-coupling the Vice-Chair position from that of the Campaigns Officer Ensuring that the Chair and Vice-Chair are not of the same gender, and Providing for the election of an additional NYE member where all elected officers are of the same gender. Amend Article 6.7 so that it reads as follows: The National Conference shall elect the National Officers of Labour Youth (other than the NYDO) subject to any exemption outlined in Article 7.2. All delegates at National Youth Conference have
the right to vote at elections for National Officers.

In Article 7.1 [Officers of the NYE], add the following clause after the first paragraph on the National Chairperson: 1. Insert after the Labour Party. The National Chair shall be assisted in their duties by a National Vice-Chairperson, as outlined in Article 7.2. The National Vice-Chairperson shall act in place of the Chairperson where the Chairperson is not available. In Article 7.1, replace Vice-Chairperson or Vice-Chair with Campaigns Officer. After Article 7.1, insert the following new article 7.2 on the position of Vice-Chair and renumber the remaining articles accordingly: 2.(a) This article shall apply with regard to the election of Vice-Chairperson. Only elected members of the NYE of a different gender identity to the National Chair shall be eligible to be National Vice-Chair. (b) The National Vice-Chair shall be elected from among the eligible NYE officers by majority vote Page 18 of 22

under PR-STV by the first National Meeting following National Youth Conference, and shall serve until the conclusion of the next National Youth Conference. (c) If all officers elected to the NYE by National Youth Conference are of the same gender identity as the incoming National Chair, then a National Vice-Chair shall be elected from among the Labour Youth membership by majority vote under AV, at the first National Meeting following National Youth Conference. (d) If National Youth Conference fails to elect a National Chair, and all other NYE officers are of the same gender identity, than a National Vice-Chair shall be elected in the manner detailed in (c) above. Delete the text of Article 7.5(d) [Casual Vacancies on the NYE] and replace with: 7.5 (d) In the event of a casual vacancy on the NYE, a National Meeting shall appoint a replacement National Officer without undue delay. The NYE shall ensure that such vacancies are filled within thirty days. (i) In the instance of the position of National Chair becoming vacant, the National Vice-Chair shall temporarily act as National Chair until the election of a new National Chair. Where the position of Vice-Chair is vacant, the National Secretary shall fulfil this temporary role. (ii) In the instance of the position of Vice-Chair becoming vacant, a new Vice-Chair shall be appointed by a National Meeting from the eligible NYE officers as outlined in 7.2 (b) above. If no such officers are eligible at the time of the office becoming vacant, a National Vice Chair shall be elected from among the Labour Youth membership as outlined in 7.2 (c) above.

National Youth Executive

Constitutional Amendment Membership Development Officer Delete within Article 7.1 of the Labour Youth constitution: "The National Recruitment Officer shall have primary responsibility for the planning, organising and the execution of recruitment campaigns. The Recruitment Officer will form and chair the 'Recruitment Working Group' which shall be open to all Labour Youth members. The Recruitment Officer must be delegate extensively to individuals on the Recruitment Working Group responsibilities for coordinating with specific Labour Youth sections. The Recruitment Working Group will formulate all Recruitment strategies taking guidance from the experience of its members." And replace with: "The National Membership Development Officer shall have primary responsibility for the planning, organising and the execution of recruitment campaigns, for encouraging the retention of new members and for the training of Labour Youth activists. The Membership Development Officer will form and chair the 'Membership Development Working Group' which shall be open to all Labour Youth members. The Membership Development Officer shall be delegate extensively to individuals on the Membership Development Working Group responsibilities for coordinating with specific Labour Youth sections. The Membership Development Working Group will formulate all recruitment strategies taking guidance from the experience of its members."

University College Cork

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Internal Affairs
Labour Youth Website Conference welcomes the creation of the new Labour Youth website. Conference believes it to be of the utmost importance that the website be regularly updated and used in the future, and that any problems with the website be addressed on a regular basis. Conference therefore institutes a 6-person website review group, chaired by the National Communications Officer and made up of the Youth & Development Officer, the Deputy National Communications Officer and 3 other members elected at the first National Meeting after Youth conference. Conference mandates the review group to meet at least twice per NYE term to discuss any issues with the website and recommend any changes for the Youth & Development Officer to make. National Meeting in Belfast Conference mandates the next National Youth Executive to convene a National Meeting in Belfast. Fair Hotels scheme

National Youth Executive

National Youth Executive

Conference notes the existence of the 'Fair Hotels' scheme, which is designed to promote ethical consumerism in the area of workers' rights. Conference also notes that 'Fair Hotels' are required to meet strict criteria in terms of working conditions and trade union representation. Conference recalls Labour Youth's commitment to the promotion of workers' rights. Conference mandates the National Youth Executive and the Youth and Development Officer to use 'Fair Hotels' for Labour Youth functions in cases where one is available. In cases where there is no availability in an officially designated 'Fair Hotel', Conference mandates the NYE and the NYDO to have due regard for the working conditions of staff before booking hotels on behalf of Labour Youth.

National Youth Executive

Internal lobbying Conference notes the successes of political lobbying groups such as 'Emily's List' in countries such as the U.S and Australia where support has been directed at pro-choice and progressive female candidates in order to seek their election and influence national policy. Conference further notes that Emily's List Australia was committed to the election of progressive candidates running for the Australian Labor Party, a sister party of the Irish

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Labour Party while also attempting to specifically address the disproportionate gender representation in the national parliament. Conference welcomes the proposed introduction of quotas for national elections, yet notes that quotas have not been introduced on a local level which allows for the continuation of a lack of representation of women in local government. Conference calls on the Labour Party to establish an Emily's List internally within the party to further encourage more women to run for election with particular emphasis on women of lower socio-economic status and different ethnic backgrounds in elections for local and national government. Labour Youth membership

Dublin South

Labour Youth recognises that its current base of membership and system of activities is too university based. It calls for a new policy to tackle the lack of non-college youth branches. Recognising that there is strength in unity, Labour Youth calls for a new co-operation between the young members of constituencies across the country. Conference calls on the NYE to organise regional groups across the country; these groups should be made up of 2-4 constituencies and will be organised on a case by case basis. The regional groups will consist of committees with a co-chair from each constituency involved (where possible). Their function will be to organise joint events (e.g. Dil visits, fund-raisers, leaflet drops, new members evenings, talks, etc.) The formation of these regional groups will take place after consultations between the NYE and representatives of the constituency youth sections involved. Each co-chair will be elected by young members of their own-constituency. Labour Youth Activists online

Dublin South West

Conference believes that Labour Youth Activists online forum is for Labour Youth activists. Labour Youth recognises that its Facebook forum has over-expanded and that it should be a privilege to use only for genuine Labour Youth members who are active or who have been active in the past. Conference believes that it is not suitable for non-members or for people who joined Labour Youth once and never got involved after a period of some months afterwards (i.e. by not ever physically attending events on even an occasional basis despite a period of opportunities to do so). Labour Youth calls on the NYE to to implement a members-only policy of who can be on the forum in the future. Regional Representatives

Dublin South West

Labour Youth calls for the establishment of four 'regional representatives'. These regional representatives will be organised on the basis of the European Constituencies.

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Nominated on a revolving (bi-annual) basis by a branch in the region, each regional representative will be obliged to give a regular report on the LY status in their region. In addition to this, they will have non-voting access to the meetings of the NYE and will be the official spokesperson of their region at each of these meeting.

Dublin South West

Joke Motions
Conference notes the continuous attack and harassment of both labour youth Wexford members and their taste for Irelands finest strawberries. Conference mandates that this unprovoked xenophobic behaviour be dealt with in a serious matter by establishing a disciplinary committee who have sole responsibility over ensuring equality and fairness amongst Labour Youth for members who enjoy Wexford strawberries. Conference also calls for the establishment of a 'legion de strawberry' to honour all those Wexford members how have devoted their lives to the Labour Movement Conference notes the abundance of strawberry sellers on roadsides of Ireland. Conference also notes the seemingly unlimited supply of Wexford Strawberries Conference is concerned at the possibility of fraudulent 'Wexford' Strawberries on sale throughout Ireland.

Wexford

Conference calls on the government to introduce legilisation to ensure the origin and quality of all Strawberries on sale in horse trailers across the Island.

Wexford

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